Constraints of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis and Cosmological Observations on varying Higgs VEV

Abstract

The Higgs vacuum expectation value (VEV) alters both the electroweak and strong interaction rates. We study both effects on Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN) and seek concordance between observed primordial abundances of light elements and cosmological constraints from cosmic microwave background (CMB) fluctuations and anisotropies. We find a strong negative correlation between primordial 4He abundance and the Higgs VEV. Consequently, using a 1.58% uplift of the Higgs VEV during BBN from the current value, an agreement can be achieved among the new primordial 4He abundance, observed by the EMPRESS group, Deuterium abundance determined from absorption lines in the Lyman-alpha forest along the line-of-sight of high-redshift quasars, and the lithium abundance on the Spite plateau. This agreement requires a baryon-to-photon ratio different from the CMB determination, indicating the need for non-standard cosmological evolution between BBN and recombination epochs.We also demonstrate that a 0.2% uplift in the Higgs VEV can partially alleviate the "cosmic Li problem", keeping consistency with the CMB with remaining discrepancy potentially accounted for by stellar depletion mechanisms.

Comments: 11 pages, 5 figures, accepted by Phys. Rev. D